Taillight technology has improved as much as the headlamps at the otherend of your Ford. Of course, the ever-reliable 1157 and 1157A lampsreign supreme when it comes to use around the world. The 1157 is thetwin-filament bulb we've been installing in our tail and parking lampsfor more than 50 years. We call this a twin-filament bulb because, likea single-set headlamp, there are two filaments inside. One filament isfor the parking/driving lights; the other, which is considerablybrighter, is for turn signals and brake lights. Because it is thebrighter filament, it gets our attention quickly. We use the 1157 lampin our taillights. The 1157A is an amber bulb used in clear-lens parkinglamps in front. If our Ford or Mercury uses an amber lens, we use an1157 clear lamp.
Despite the steady, reliable use of the 1157 and 1157A lamps for half acentury, we've come to learn they're not bright enough in someapplications. In some instances, our vintage Fords suffer from milky,bleached taillight lenses. This reduces the amount of light someonefollowing us sees. In normal driving, with the headlamps or parkinglamps lighted, our taillights are often barely visible. This can behazardous.
National Parts Depot has a solution for dim taillights and parkinglights. The H1157 halogen park/taillight bulb greatly increases theamount of light visible from your tail and parking lights. We testedthese small halogen lamps on the Mustangs Etc. '65 test mule, and wereimpressed with the result.
Another type of tail/parking lamp isn't really a lamp at all: It'scalled an LED, or Light Emitting Diode. If you're paying attention towhat's on the road out there, you see LED taillights all the time onnewer cars equipped from the factory. LED lights are used more and morein traffic signals today. They're easily identified by their bright,instant on/off behavior. Light bulbs fade on and off due to theirglowing, white-hot filaments. Diodes appear and vanish instantly.
The nice thing about LEDs is reliability. They virtually never burn out,which means they can last forever in your vintage Ford. We tested one type of LED taillight available from Mustangs Etc. It twists into your tail/parking lamp socket, just like an 1157, 1157A, or H1157 bulb. The LED lamp is also available in a variety of colors such as red, yellow,white, and blue. Because taillights are there primarily for your safety and the safety of others, we suggest the use of warning colors, such as red or white, behind those red lenses. Motor vehicle laws in all 50states mandate the use of red taillights. Use a color other than red and you can expect a visit from the police during your next commute or cruise. Again, red is required for your safety.
California Mustang has another type of LED taillight replacement forclassic Mustangs. Consisting of two 20-LED panels that install in side the taillight housing, these LED taill amps light up brighter than original equipment. They install in a matter of minutes. Lenses and bezels are not included and must be ordered separately.
(above & below) This is our...
(above & below) This is our '65 Mustang test mule with the parking lamps on. On theright is the H1157 lamp from National Parts Depot. Do you see thedifference? The right side is considerably brighter.
When we apply the brakes,...
When we apply the brakes, the H1157 lamp on the right really comes tolife, and this is where we need it most. If you install these H1157lamps in new taillight dishes, you'll witness a dramatic improvement inlight intensity. One concern with the H1157 is bulb heat. The H1157 lampruns considerably hotter than a standard 1157 lamp. We suggestinspecting your tail/parking lamps regularly to ensure safe operation.
(above & next two below) This...
(above & next two below) This is the LED 1157 replacement from Mustangs Etc. Available in avariety of colors, it is quite pronounced in park- and brake-lightmodes. The downside is the absence of taillight dish reflection. Usethis guy in your front valance parking lamps for bitchin' results;bright amber/yellow behind a clear lens looks terrific. White behind anamber lens also achieves great results.
California Mustang's new LED...
California Mustang's new LED taillight panels consist of 20 LEDs each,giving your Mustang taillights unequalled brilliance. You can have thesefor $109.95 a set.
These are the standard 1157...
These are the standard 1157 and 1157A lamps we've been using for morethan a half century. The 1157 is a twin-filament, twin-contact lamp withtwo circuits--one for parking lights and another brighter filament forbrake and turn signal lights.
Did you know there's a condom...
Did you know there's a condom for light bulbs? This soft rubber cap isdesigned for clear 1157 lamps where an 1157A is unavailable. It alsoworks if you have a busted taillight lens. We're not certain how manydifferent colors these caps were available in when they were beingmanufactured a long time ago.